Experience the Wonders of Niagara Falls State Park While New York Camping

Niagara Falls State Park draws millions of visitors every year, making it a wonderful New York camping destination. Best known for its voluminous waterfalls cascading down the Niagara River, the falls straddle the US-Canadian border along New York and Ontario.

Niagara Falls formed thousands of years ago when glaciers receded and created the Great Lakes. Water from the new lakes carved their way through the Niagara Escarpment on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, creating what is now known as Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is not especially high, but it is very wide. Over 4 million cubic feet of water falls every minute, making it the most powerful waterfall in North America. Niagara Falls State Park offers many ways of seeing the park, from the Maid of the Mist to the Cave of the Winds, as well as an aquarium, a scenic trolley ride, and more.

Niagara Falls State Park is open 365 days a year, 24-hours a day. There is no fee to enter the park; however, there is a parking fee during the busiest months, which tend to be May through September. The weather is most enjoyable during these months. The changing foliage of fall makes October a nice time to visit the park, as well. Winter is becoming a more popular time to visit, although weather is much colder and snowy. The falls themselves do not freeze over, but areas around and below it do, including an ice bridge that usually begins to form in December and lasts well into February, sometimes even into March. The American Falls has frozen over six times since records have been kept since it is a smaller fall with much less water.

Once at Niagara Falls State Park, there is plenty to do, ranging from waterfall viewing, an aquarium, trolley tours, and more. One of the most popular ways to view the park is on the Maid of the Mist. The Maid of the Mist has taken millions of people through the foaming waters of the falls for over 150 years. Your journey will begin at the base of the Observation Tower. From there you’ll head out to the American Falls and then proceed to the basin of Horseshoe Falls. Be prepared to get wet as this is an up close and personal way to view the falls. The cost of the tour is $13.50 for adults, $7.85 for children 6-12, and frees for children under 6. Another way to see the falls is the Cave of the Winds tour. This tour begins with an elevator ride that takes you 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge. From there, you’re taken on a guided tour over wooden planks up to the Hurricane Deck which is just 20 feet from Bridal Veil Falls. Standing on this platform, you will be hit with tropical storm like conditions, drenching you head to toe with spray from the fall. This is a particularly spectacular adventure after sunset. During winter, the Hurricane Deck is removed to protect it from winter weather, leaving a permanent deck that leaves you about 75 feet from the fall. This tour is only offered May through October, while the partial tour is open April and October-December. The fee for the Hurricane Deck tour is $11 for adults, $8 for children 6 to 12, and children under 6 are free. When only the Gorge deck is open, the fee is lower: $6 for adults, $4 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6.

Although not technically within the park, Niagara Falls aquarium is still an excellent attraction and worth seeing. The aquarium houses over 1,500 species, ranging from Great Lakes ecosystems to coral reef ones. There are sea lion performances, penguin and shark feedings, and piranha, eel and seal exhibits. The entrance fee is $7.50 for adults over 60, $9.50 for anyone 13-59, $6 for children 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. With so many wonderful activities and adventures, Niagara Falls State Park truly is an exciting New York camping spot.